I've always found it odd that so many mainstream schools of meditation place so much emphasis on the importance of body-position, that it can, as you pointed out during one of your ayahuasca journies, actually be detrimental to the experience.
It's so easy for us to get wrapped up in the idea that one must sit with our legs recurved into a postion that 70% of the human population cannot attain (myself included), with a perfectly erect spinal column, and hands placed in a specific posture. Naturally this can lead to a sort of tension (as you mentioned), whereby the practioner becomes so focused on focusing, they forget to unfocus.
I do think there is an argument to made in favor of these sorts of positions, and how the tension or "pressure" on the body can be of aid to help one learn to bypass suffering in the face of pain. However this is hardly the exclusive method in attaining a transcendental state. Most particularly in when undergoing a psychedelic event, whereby comfort is arguably of the utmost importance, since surrender to the experience is a baseline for progression.
I've thought about that quite a bit, especially how more austere vipassana traditions advocate for postures that can create more harm on bodies today (seated w/o back support). Especially because modern living renders us far less mobile as a species. I've experienced transcendence by leaning into the tension/pain as you mention and see the value there. But I also have a bulged disc around L4/L5 from mountain biking and athletics over the years, so 6+ hours a day sitting on retreat can create serious harm without lower lumbar support. One of my fav meditation teachers always sits in a chair and advocates for a position that allows the body to relax, which I find refreshing. I'm also a big fan of Prof John Vervaeke's teachings around "finding your center" when meditation, which I think can be done in numerous asanas (basic, but I found helpful for a tune-up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdL9Yd0lB_k&ab_channel=JohnVervaeke). Thank you so much, B.
A wonderful, insightful read; beautifully written as ever.
ahh dang, thanks so much Kevin!
I've always found it odd that so many mainstream schools of meditation place so much emphasis on the importance of body-position, that it can, as you pointed out during one of your ayahuasca journies, actually be detrimental to the experience.
It's so easy for us to get wrapped up in the idea that one must sit with our legs recurved into a postion that 70% of the human population cannot attain (myself included), with a perfectly erect spinal column, and hands placed in a specific posture. Naturally this can lead to a sort of tension (as you mentioned), whereby the practioner becomes so focused on focusing, they forget to unfocus.
I do think there is an argument to made in favor of these sorts of positions, and how the tension or "pressure" on the body can be of aid to help one learn to bypass suffering in the face of pain. However this is hardly the exclusive method in attaining a transcendental state. Most particularly in when undergoing a psychedelic event, whereby comfort is arguably of the utmost importance, since surrender to the experience is a baseline for progression.
As always Alex, your publications are treat.
Happy Friday sir.
I've thought about that quite a bit, especially how more austere vipassana traditions advocate for postures that can create more harm on bodies today (seated w/o back support). Especially because modern living renders us far less mobile as a species. I've experienced transcendence by leaning into the tension/pain as you mention and see the value there. But I also have a bulged disc around L4/L5 from mountain biking and athletics over the years, so 6+ hours a day sitting on retreat can create serious harm without lower lumbar support. One of my fav meditation teachers always sits in a chair and advocates for a position that allows the body to relax, which I find refreshing. I'm also a big fan of Prof John Vervaeke's teachings around "finding your center" when meditation, which I think can be done in numerous asanas (basic, but I found helpful for a tune-up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdL9Yd0lB_k&ab_channel=JohnVervaeke). Thank you so much, B.
Alex, Thank you 🙏 for sharing your journey, as you continue to explore your cosmic story. ❤️🙏❤️
Thank you so much, Barbara